A BROTHER and sister festival organising team have raised more than a quarter of a million pounds for hospice care following their latest musical extravaganza.
Woo Fest organisers Ria and Luke Simons are celebrating after the proceeds from the annual July event near Upton-on-Severn helped them reach the monumental fundraising milestone.
The siblings, along with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, have now generated a total of £270,785 for St Richard’s Hospice across the festival’s history – the largest sum by individuals have ever raised in the hospice’s 42-year history.
Woo Fest 2026 crowd. Photograph by Andy Dawson, Spectrum Photography
Inspired by the care given to their music-loving dad John before he died at the hospice, the duo set up the family-friendly festival in 2015 to help hospice care live on for others.
Ria, who lives in Evesham said: “A quarter of a million pounds has been smashed, and that’s all because of an amazing community coming together for a cause that means so much to so many.
“Everyone gives their time, talent and energy to Woo Fest simply because they want to make a difference. It’s a truly beautiful thing.”
Ria Simons and Luke Simons onstage at Woo Fest.
“There are many ordinary people doing extraordinary things to raise money for the wonderful St Richard’s Hospice, while putting on the best weekend we possibly can.
“Thank you to every single person who bought a ticket, came along, danced, sang, chilled out and donated. Quite simply, this wouldn’t happen without you,” added Luke from Worcester.
From tiny beginnings in a field, Woo Fest is now an award-winner and sellout event annually.
It was crowned the UK’s Best Small Festival at the National Festival Awards in 2019 and 2022.
Abby Holliday, director of business and income generation at St Richard’s, said: “Ria and Luke have raised an incredible amount, especially for a charity like us that relies on our community to help raise 80 per cent of the £12m it costs to keep our services running each year.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to them for choosing to turn their own experience of loss into help and support for those who need us, including bereaved children.”
